By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Oct 4 — The Selangor government has pledged faster response time in facing the impending floods and heavy downpours expected from the beginning of November, coinciding with the start of the northeast monsoon.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said several approaches have been taken into account, which would involve the state executive councillors, local councils, and command centres.
“We have identified our flood temporary evacuation centres (PPS) that can be used to store our essential kits,” he said in a press conference, here, today.
“If the flood occurs, we won’t take too long to send relief equipment and supplies,” he added, comparing it to the situation in 2021, when the response time was called into question.
Amirudin said the Smart Selangor Operation Centre will also coordinate and monitor information that needs to be disseminated to the public through cooperation with the Meteorological Department.
In addition, he said local councils, Irrigation and Drainage Department, Public Works Department and other related agencies have been instructed to conduct immediate cleaning works at reservoirs and drains, particularly in flood-prone areas.
Amirudin also announced that all state executive councillors have been assigned to carry out certain duties in the event of a disaster.
Ng Sze Han will be responsible of rehabilitation of industrial areas, Izham Hashim (infrastructure rehabilitation), Borhan Aman Shah (PPS management), Ng Suee Lim (cleaning and local councils), Datuk Rizam Ismail (rural areas disaster coordination), Mohd Najwan Haimi (volunteers aid coordination), Jamaliah Jamaluddin (health), V. Pappraidu (special tasks), Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah (telecommunications, mosques and surau management), and Anfaal Saar (welfare coordination).
“Based on past experience, the state government is prepared to face a total of 5,000 flood victims.
“I have ordered the Social Welfare Department to provide additional equipment,” he said, expressing concerns over the last major flooding in the state two years ago.
